NO SAFE PLACE: A LIFETIME OF VIOLENCE FOR CONFLICT-AFFECTED WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SOUTH SUDAN SUMMARY REPORT 2017 Cover Image: Kate Geraghty/CARE/Fairfax media CONTENTS 04 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 21 Implications for Action 05 GLOSSARY 21 Key Recommendations 06 BACKGROUND 22 Donors and Policymakers 06 Introduction 24 Practitioners 06 War & Armed Conflict in South Sudan 25 Reference List 12 STUDY RESULTS 12 Key Findings 12 Violence in the Community 12 Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls 13 Sexual Violence Against Men and Boys 14 Factors Contributing to Pervasive VAWG in Areas of Conflict 14 Normalisation of Violence 14 Breakdown of the Rule of Law 15 Opportunistic Crime 16 Violence in the Home 16 Intimate Partner Violence 16 Intimate Partner Violence and Conflict 17 Discriminatory Practices in the Home that Harm Women and Girls 19 After the Violence: Services and Support 19 Non-Partner Assault: Where can she go? 19 Intimate Partner Violence: Where can she go? 20 Barriers to Services ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Research Team This research was carried out by the Global Women’s Field Methodology Support: Rens Twijnstra, Johannes Institute of the George Washington University, in Schaeffer, Brenton Peterson partnership with the International Rescue Committee, CARE International UK, and Forcier Consulting. Enumerators: Amjuma Nichola, Martina Juwa, Jane Lajara, Angiya Victoria, Kulaako Alice, Aywak Jesca, Mary Ellsberg and Manuel Contreras were Co-Principal Susan Joan, Aya Christine, Madia Joyce, Livia Oliver, Investigators, and provided leadership and oversight Achan Grace, Rebecca Simon Peter, Wani Michael, for qualitative and quantitative study design, interviewer Wani Kenyi Moses, Michael Badungo, Moses Goja training, data collection, analysis and drafting the Nixon, Dumba Moses, Nelson Mandela Peter, Regina final report. Nyakir, Maryanne Nyaluak, Nyadol Gatkoi, Maria Chundier, Katerina Nyakhor Chan, Nyaliep John, The research team for the qualitative study included Nyalang Luony, Nyanuba Koang Biel, Nyabiliny Reth, Mairi MacRae†, Tim Hess†, Dashakti Reddy†, Clare Nyagajaak Nyuot, Scovia, Angelina Nyabol, Ann Tut Hollowell‡, and Simon Choi**. The research team for Nyariey, Mary Anon, Susan Ayen, Teresa Amer, Aluk the quantitative study included Maureen Murphy*, Mairi Reech, Madelina Amou, Monica Anger, Jonephine MacRae†, Dashakti Reddy†, Alexandra Blackwell*, Jeffrey Nyakok, Michelle Adit, Kanna Nyarwel, Anna Akol, Bingenheimer§, Tim Hess†, and Julianne Stennes‡. Angelina Ayen, Kim Awel, Sarah Ayen, Wadisa Majak, Samuel Majak, Kuol Amuom, Abraham, Barkuei, Primary data analysis was conducted Junior Ovince*, Kornelio Yel, Mabeny Yai, Chadrack Mapuor Maureen Murphy*, Julianne Stennes‡, and Alexandra Blackwell*. The report team benefited greatly from the thoughtful comments and revisions of: This report was drafted by Maureen Murphy*, Alexandra Blackwell*, Mary Ellsberg*, and Manuel Contreras*. IRC and CARE Dorcas Acen**, Sarah Cornish†, Kate Falb†, Janine Key technical support for the study was provided by Kossen†, Valentina Mirza**, Howard Mollett**, Martin Giorgia Franchi†, Jennifer Zelaya*, Pamela Tuyott† and Omukuba†, Toral Pattni**, Sophie Wanjiku† Christine Apio†. The data collection in South Sudan was carried out by Forcier Consulting. George Washington University Jin Chon, Lisa Van Pay, Monica Brinn*, Chelsea Ullman* Fieldwork Team - Forcier Consulting Special thanks to the representatives from the What Management: Clare Hollowell, Julianne Stennes, Tim Works Consortium’s International Advisory Board and Berke, Ceaser Taban, Lokiri Lowuro, Joseph Aleu, the South Sudan Technical Advisory Group who were Rosalind Fennell instrumental to informing the research design, analysis and report drafting. Field Supervisors: Ayot Monica, Lyong Lona Charles, Alfred Lotto, Tabitha Nyakong, Tutghar Quoang Riek, Akol Susan Agel, Louisa Awut Survey Programmers: Caroline Morogo, Amal Mohammed * The Global Women’s Institute at the George Washington University † International Rescue Committee ** CARE International 4 No Safe Place: A Lifetime of Violence for Conflict-Affected Women and Girls in South Sudan GLOSSARY AOR Adjusted odds ratio CIUK CARE International United Kingdom CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement DfID Department for International Development CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women FGD Focus group discussion GBV Gender-based violence GWI Global Women’s Institute at George Washington University IDP Internally displaced persons IPV Intimate partner violence IRC International Rescue Committee NGO Non-governmental organisation PoC Protection of civilians RSS Republic of South Sudan SEA Sexual exploitation and abuse SPLA Sudan People’s Liberation Army SSTC South Sudan Transitional Constitution TAG Technical advisory group UK United Kingdom UN United Nations UNMISS United Nations Mission in South Sudan VAWG Violence against women and girls WHO World Health Organization WPE Women, Protection and Empowerment Summary Report 2017 5 BACKGROUND Introduction Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a serious It should be noted that the study sites were chosen human rights violation and a significant global health to provide insight regarding VAWG in areas currently and security issue. Studies suggest that the rates, experiencing or with a history of conflict, and the perpetrators and types of VAWG fluctuate during conflict; results do not represent the population of South Sudan and there is some evidence that sexual violence against as a whole. The study included both quantitative and both women and men increases during conflict.1 The qualitative methods. The quantitative component of the global prevalence of sexual violence among refugees and study consisted of a population-based household survey displaced persons in humanitarian crises is estimated administered to a representative sample of women aged to be 21.4%, suggesting that approximately one in five 15-64 in three locations: Juba City, Rumbek Centre and women who are refugees or displaced by an emergency the Juba Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites. These sites experience sexual violence.2 Recent studies indicate that have very different characteristics, in terms of ethnicity intimate partner violence (IPV) may be more common and experiences of conflict, and were chosen to give a than conflict-related sexual assault;2 however, both diverse picture of the experiences of women and girls in IPV and conflict-related violence are under-reported in areas of South Sudan impacted by the ongoing conflict. these settings.3 Though several studies have collected A smaller sample of men was interviewed in Juba City robust data on VAWG in humanitarian settings, many and Rumbek about experiences of violence, including experts argue that our overall understanding of the issue perpetration and victimisation. Qualitative interviews and remains limited.1,2 focus group discussions were carried out with community members and key informants (e.g. NGO staff, government This lack of data is especially true in South Sudan where representatives, local leaders, etc.) in each of the three war and armed conflict have become all too common for sites, as well as in two additional settings: a PoC site in decades. In 2015, the International Rescue Committee Bentiu and rural areas of Juba County. More extensive (IRC), the Global Women’s Institute (GWI) at the George details on study methodology can be found in the annex Washington University and CARE International UK (CIUK) of the report. launched a comprehensive study to understand the prevalence, types and patterns of violence against women War and Armed Conflict in South Sudan and girls in South Sudan who live in areas of conflict. The research is part of the United Kingdom’s Department for South Sudan endured decades of conflict prior to gaining International Development’s (DfID) global programme independence from Sudan in 2011. Following 50 years entitled, What Works to Prevent Violence Against of civil war, Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Women and Girls (‘What Works’) to address this dearth Movement signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of evidence. (CPA) in 2005, providing the groundwork for South Sudan’s independence in July 2011. Since the signing of The study aims to fill substantial gaps in understanding the CPA, tensions between Sudan and the new Republic on the intersections of VAWG and conflict in specific, of South Sudan have continued with smaller conflicts over war-torn areas of South Sudan. The principle aims of the the contested oil fields and territories in the border areas, study were: as well as a new insurrection by rebel groups in South • To collect data on VAWG in South Sudan to inform Kordofan and Blue Nile States of Sudan. policy and programmes for the South Sudanese government, local and international NGOs, and the Yet just two years after gaining independence, a new wider international community; and armed conflict emerged. This conflict started in December • To improve, adapt, apply and disseminate 2013, following several months of deteriorating political appropriate methodological approaches to relations between the president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and determine the prevalence, forms and patterns of opposition members led by his former vice president, VAWG in conflict contexts. Riek Machar. Although the 2013 Crisis largely originated 6 No Safe Place: A Lifetime of Violence for Conflict-Affected Women and Girls in South Sudan Peter Biro/IRC as a political dispute, the existing undercurrent of ethnic wealth (via